Soho Takuan, not the radish!
Original Poster: bamboo
Forum: Others
Posted On: 15-08-2005, 12:09
Orginal Post: bamboo: Taken directly from "The unfettered mind" by Takuan Soho
To speak in terms of your own martial art, when you first notice the sword that is moving to strike you, if you think of meeting that sword just as it is, your mind will stop at the sword in just that position, your own movements will be undone, and you will be cut down by your opponent, This is what stopping means.
Although you see the sword that moves to strike you, if your mind is not detained by it and you meet the rhythm of the advancing sword; if you do not think of striking your opponent and no thoughts or judgments remain; if the instant you see the swinging sword your mind is not the least bit detained and you move straight in and wrench the sword away from him; the sword that was going to cut you down will become your own, and, contrarily, will be the sword that cuts down your opponent.
In Zen this is called "Grabbing the spear and, contrariwise, piercing the man who had come to pierce you." The spear is a weapon. The heart of this is that the sword you wrestle from your adversary becomes the sword that cuts him down. This is what you, in your style, call "No-Sword."
Whether by the strike of the enemy or your own thrust, whether by the man who strikes or the sword that strikes, whether by position or rhythm, if your mind is diverted in any way, your actions will falter, and this can mean that you will be cut down.
If you place yourself before your opponent, your mind will be taken by him. You should not place your mind within yourself. Bracing the mind in the body is something done only at the inception of training, when one is a beginner.
The mind can be taken by the sword. If you put your mind in the rhythm of the contest, your mind can be taken by that as well. If you place your mind in your own sword, your mind can be taken by your own sword. Your mind stopping at any of these places, you become an empty shell. You surely recall such situations yourself.
Anyone care to discuss the merits of such type of practice?
If not, (words don't mean much in this sort of practice) I hope someone gets something from this.
-bamboo
Post: Tease T Tickle:
I doubt very many people will understand my words here, but what the hell.
Consciousness is sturdy and hard to move. Do not focus consciousness in any thing, instead forget focus and be aware of all things. Stare with unfocused eyes, and your opponent cannot make a move against you. Expand thought and all is gathered in your grasp, even if you cannot feel it in your hands.>
Post: bamboo:
Quote: Consciousness is sturdy and hard to move
Reminds me of the words- A mountain cannot be moved because it knows its a mountain.
TTT- Did you see the flag outside? :wink:
I sat with this one for about a year and a half and it hit me one day not while sitting but when attacking in class.
My real purpose in posting this is like the heart sutra or when you get "hit" (literally hit) into reality on the mats. I was hoping (still am) that someone will read this and will be "smacked" into seeing what is trying to be conveyed here.
-bamboo>
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